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RULES AND REGULATIONS 

FOB THE 



GOVERNMENT AND DISCIPLINE 



STATE PRISONS 



OF 



THE STATE OF NEW YORK 



ADOPTED JANT7ARY 20, 1848., 



AUBURN, N. Y. 
PRINTED BY H. MONTGOMERY. 

1843. 



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By tratf«? er 
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At a Meeting of the Inspectors of State Prisons, held at the 

Auburn Prison, January 20th, 1848 — 

Present — David D. Spencer, President, Isaac N. Comstock 
and John B. Gedney. 

The following Rules and Regulations for the Government 
and Discipline of the State Prisons of the State of New York, 
prepared in pursuance of the 4th sub-division of Sec. 34 of the act 
for the better regulation of County and State Prisons, were adopt- 
ed, and the Agent of the Auburn Prison directed to procure the 
publication of an edition sufficient for the supply of each of the 
said Prisons. 

WM. ANDREWS, Clerk. 



RULES AND REGULATIONS. 



POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE AGENT. 

I. It shall be the duty of the Agent to attend to the 
fiscal and business concerns of the prison ; to make, 
under the direction of the Inspectors, all contracts for 
the employment of convicts, and to furnish the neces- 
sary supplies for their support ; to superintend all the 
manufacturing and mechanical business that may be 
carried on by the State within the prison, and to selj 
and dispose of the articles so manufactured for the 
benefit of the State. 

II. He shall report monthly to the Inspectors an 
account of all moneys received and disbursed by him 
on account of the prison, and shall annually close his 
account on the last day of September, and render to 
the Comptroller an account current of all receipts and 
disbursements by him on account of said prison, with 
the vouchers therefor, together with an inventory of 
property on hand, as required by sub-division 14 of 
Sec. 34, of the Act "for the better regulation of the 
County and State prisons," passed Dec. 14th, 1847. 



FEES AND DUTIES OF THE WARE 

I. Ir shall be the duty of the Warden to reside in, 
and attend constantly at the pri ; 

II. To attend to. and enforce the rules and regula- 

the g : vernment and discipline of the convicts. 
: the Keepers and Guard faithfully dis- 
charge their respective duties in obedience to the same. 

III. To keep a daily journal of all infractions of the 
by the Keepers and Guard, and to record all 

reports of punishn. licted upon the convicts by 

the Keepers, stating the offence for which the same 
was inflicted, with the kind and amount of punish- 
ment. 

IV. To examine daily into the state and condition 
of the prison, and into the health and safe keeping of 
the convicts, and to inquire into the justice of any 
complaints made by the convicts relative to their pro- 
visions, clothing, bedding and treatment by the Keep- 
contractors or foremen. 

V. To see that a reasonable amount of labor in the 
al departments, as d-: ■ : by the Age:. 

performed by the convicts. 



DUTIES OF THE CLER. 

The Clerk shall act as an assistant to the Agent in 
the discharge of his financial duties. 

'.all be b f to attend daily, during pi 

hours, at the prison, 
shall keep all accounts of the financial transac- 
of the prison, and 



received, and enter their discharge when released from 
prison. 

He shall act as Clerk to the Board of Inspectors, 
and record the minutes of their proceedings, and shall 
do such other writing as shall reasonably be required 
01 him by the Inspectors, Agent or Warden, relating 
to the prison. He shall have the care and custody of 
all the books and papers of the prison. 

He shall aid the Agent in the purchase of supplies, 
when required, for the use of the prison, pay for and 
take vouchers for the same in the name of the Agent. 

He shall issue tickets of admission to persons visit- 
ing the prison, and account daily to the Agent therefor. 



DUTIES OF THE PHYSICIAN. 

It shall be the duty of the Physician to attend per- 
sonally at the prison immediately after the morning- 
relief, every morning ; to receive the reports from the 
several Keepers, by the Hospital Steward, of convicts 
who are ill ; to examine and prescribe medical treat- 
ment, as may be required by their several cases ; re- 
peating his visits though the day, and at all times 
when the condition of the sick require it ; and when 
sent for, to repair immediately to the prison, to the 
exclusion of ail other professional engagements or 
business. 

He shall, from time to time, and as often as may be 
necessary, furnish the Agent or Steward a memoran- 
dum of such medicines, provisions and other supplies 
as may be required for the Hospital. 



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He shall keep a register, to be designated " Hospital 
Register," in which he shall keep a daily record as 
required by sub-division 2 of Sec. 63, of the Prison 
Act, 



DUTIES OF THE CHAPLAIN. 

It shall be the duty of the chaplain to conform, in 
all cases, to the general rules and regulations of the 
prison, subject to the control of the Warden as to his 
intercourse with the convicts during working hours. 

He shall attend Chapel service every Sabbath ; also 
the Sunday school, which shall be under his care and 
management. 

It shall be his province, and privilege, to visit the 
convicts at all times, (except when at work,) in their 
cells, and in the Hospital, administering to them such 
moral and religious instruction and consolation as may 
be best calculated to promote their subordination, re- 
formation and spiritual welfare. 

He shall not furnish them any information or intel- 
ligence except, such as shall be permitted by the War- 
den, or one or more of the Inspectors, in relation to 
secular matters. He shall at all times endeavor to 
impress upon them the justice of their punishment, the 
necessity of amendment, and a strict conformity to the 
rules of the prison. 

It shall be his duty to correspond with the friends 
and relatives of the convicts by Letter, when required 
by the Warden, or an Inspector, who shall judge of 
the necessity or propriety of such correspondence. 



DUTIES OF KEEPERS. 

Keepers act as immediate agents of the Warden, in 
enforcing the police and discipline of the prison, and in 
carrying into effect the intentions of the law, for the 
punishment of convicts in prison. 

At all times, while within the prison walls, they are 
to consider themselves subject to the rules and regula- 
tions adopted for the government of the prison ; and 
when on duty, are to govern themselves in strict con- 
formity thereto. 

It shall be their duty — 

To attend at the prison at the opening thereof, and 
not to absent themselves therefrom on any pretence, or 
cause, during prison hours, except by permission of the 
Warden, and except to obtain their meals, at such hours 
as shall be designated by the Warden. 

Nor shall any Keeper leave his shop, or station, in 
any part of the prison, without leave of the Warden, 
except upon urgent necessity; but before leaving his 
shop, or station, shall procure a Keeper doing relief 
duty, to take charge of his shop while absent. 

Every Keeper shall, upon entering or leaving the 
prison, make the usual designation upon the Duty 
Roster, in the Keepers' Hall, so that at all times the 
said Roster shall show where every Keeper then is. 

While within the prison, Keepers are to refrain from 
singing, whistling, scuffling, immoderate laughter, bois- 
terous conversation, exciting discussions upon politics, 
religion, or other subjects ; provoking witticisms or 
sarcasms, and all other acts calculated to disturb the 
harmony and good order of the prison. 

In their intercourse among themselves, the officers 



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of the prise t all times to treat each c 

that mutual re: .;! kindne become gentle- 

men and friends ; and are required to avoid all collis- 
ions, jealousies, separate and party views and in: 
among the and are strictly forbidden to treat 

each other \ ect. or any ungentlemanl" 

thet in the presence of cod v. 

It is their duty to cultivate an ardent zeal to promote 
and advance the reputation of the 
iition ; and to use their uni od tal- 

- for the public good. 

pers shall not. while on duty, hold conversations 

with each other, nor with contractors or their foremen. 

except sue. :er to the discharge of their du- 

: nd business under their eh arg e d a gement. 

engaged, while so on duty, in 

r than making] .tries.; 

or in any other employment calculated to intei 

constant watchfulness and vigilance. 

her she. take into the shops, sleeping, or 

any other depa of the Prison per, (other 

than neces letters, newspapei 

books. 

NoKeepe any thing in respect to the po- 

lice of the Prison in the presence of convicts, except in 

ay of directing them in their duty, or admc 
ing them for their miscondi 

Neither shall any under any circumstances. 

hold common- ion with convicts, nor 

make any inquiries of them relati" former 

nor shall 
allow them to speak to them upon such sub- 
jects, or upon any subject not immediately con: 
y : en pi y bent, or w: 



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Keepers (as well as all other prison officers) are pro- 
hibited by law, from being " directly or indirectly 
interested in any contract, purchase or sale, for, by, or 
on account of the prison, under the penalty of two 
hundred and fifty dollars." 

They are not to appropriate to their own use, any 
property of the State in the prison, however small in 
value ; nor are they to have any articles, goods or 
wares, made for them, except by the contractors, and 
are not to employ, under any pretence, any convict to 
work for them. 

No ardent spirits, wines, strong beer, or ale, are upon 
any occasion, to be used by any officer, contractor or 
foreman, in or about the prison, neither are they to 
suffer any other person to bring the same, when known 
to them, within the prison walls ; except for the hospi- 
tal to be used for medicine, under the directions of the 
Warden and Physician. 

No Keeper shall send convicts to the hospital, except 
at the usual hour in the morning, or give medicine to 
them, without orders from the Warden or Physician. 

Each Keeper shall keep a list of the men under his 
charge, with the number of the cell in which each con- 
vict sleeps, opposite his name; and upon locking up at 
night, sha*ll note the absence of any convict from his 
cell, and report the same to the Warden immediately 
thereafter. 

Each Keeper shall keep a book containing the names 
of the men under his charge, with a table of their labor, 
in which he shall enter daily the labor performed, with 
the prices therefor, and shall report at the end of each 
month, to the Clerk, the amount earned, and chargea- 
ble to contractors, for the labor of the convicts. 

Keepers shall keep the convicts under their charge, 



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of the convict, the offence, and the kind and quantity 
of punishment. 

They shall not punish or strike a convict with a 
cane or stick, or with the fist or feet, or any other wea- 
pon, unless it be in self-defence, or to quell insurrection. 

Any abuse of the foregoing powers, or violation of 
requirements, rules or regulations, in any person at- 
tached to the prison, which shall come under the ob- 
servation of any other officer, shall be reported by such 
officer to the Warden, in order that he may investi- 
gate the same, and apply the proper corrective. 

Keepers, during relief duty, when not relieving the 
regular shop Keepers, are to repair to the avenues of 
the shops where they relieve ; and are there to con- 
tinue their inspection of the convicts within such shops ; 
and employ themselves faithfully and constantly in 
that duty. Conversation, or any other employment in 
the avenues, is strictly prohibited. 

In general, it shall be the duty of the Keepers to aid 
and assist the Warden in the discharge of those duties 
imposed upon him by the laws, in the government and 
discipline of the prison ; to enforce that discipline with 
firmness, but with humanity. 



DUTIES OF GUARD. 

They shall attend at the prison during all prison 
hours ; and when not on duty on the walls, or at the 
gates, they are to repair to the Keepers' Hall, and there 
remain until otherwise directed ; and when required by 



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the Warden, they shall assist in discharging the duties 
of Keepers. 

They shall not allow any person to go on to the 
walls, or into the prison, without permission from the 
Warden, Agent, or Clerk, or under regulations estab- 
lished by them. 

They shall not permit any intoxicated or riotous 
persons to pass into the prison, nor any person to pass 
through the door of the Keeper's Hall into the prison, 
without permission as above. 

They shall not have intercourse or control of any 
kind with and over convicts, other than is necessary 
to prevent their escape, except when discharging the 
duties of Keepers ; and shall not suffer them to pass ex- 
cept in charge of a proper officer. 

They are not to leave their posts on any pretext, 
without being relieved, and are not to go into the inte- 
rior of the prison, yards, or shops, without permission 
from the Warden, Agent, or Clerk. 

All the rules and regulations adopted for the gui- 
dance and government of Keepers, so far as the same 
are applicable to the Guard, shall be observed and 
kept, the same as though they were particularly laid 
down and recapitulated. 



DUTIES OF TEACHERS. 

It shall be the duty of the Teachers to attend daily 
at the prison, at such hours, on week days, as shall 
be designated from time to time by the Warden, be- 
tween the hours of six and nine o'clock, p. ml, and 



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spend at least one hour and a half each day, Sundays 
excepted, in teaching such convicts as shall be desif^ 
nated by the Warden and Chaplain, in such branchy 
of useful English education as the Chaplain and War- 
den shall direct. 

Such Teachers shall comply with the rules and re- 
gulations adopted for the government of the prison ; 
they shall hold no conversation with, nor have any 
other intercourse with the convicts, than shall be ne- 
cessary and proper in imparting such instruction ; nor 
shall they receive from, or confer any presents, nor 
have any dealings with the convicts, nor take and con- 
vey from them any letters to their friends or others, 
nor write or otherwise become the medium of commu- 
nication between the convicts and their friends, in or 
out of the prison. 




MATRONS. 

The rules and regulations adopted for the govern- 
ment of the Keepers, shall apply to, and be observed 
by the Matron and her Assistants at the Sing Sing 
Prison, as far as the same is practicable. 



AGENT OF CLINTON PRISON. 

The Agent of the Clinton Prison shall observe the 
rules and discharge the duties of Agent and Warden, 
as herein prescribed and required. 



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16 



4S 



DUTIES OF CONTRACTORS. 



tractors, their agents and foremen, shall hold no 
intercourse with any convicts, other than those em- 
ployed and superintended by them ; nor upon any sub- 
ject whatever, other than the business carried on by 
them, except in presence of the Keeper. 

They are to confine themselves strictly to their bu- 
siness, and are not to leave the shops where their busi- 
ness is so carried on, to visit any other parts of the pri- 
son. 

Their intercourse with the officers of the prison, 
shall be such only as is necessarily connected with the 
prosecution of the business under their charge. 

They are not, under any circumstances, to inflict 
any punishment, or to enforce the discipline in any 
manner, upon any convict whatever. 

They are to report to the Keeper having charge of 
the convicts in their department, all violations of the 
rules and regulations of the prison. 

No foreman shall be employed by a contractor, with- 
in the prison, without first obtaining the consent of the 
Warden or Inspectors, or one of them ; and no person, 
other than the necessary foremen and clerks, shall be 
employed with the convicts, or in any other manner, 
in the prison. 

So mu2h of the foregoing rules as relate to the con- 
duct and deportment of the officers while in the pri- 
son, their intercourse with each other, and with the 
convicts, are to be observed by contractors, their agents 
and foremen. 



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DUTIES OF 



itractors, their ager. 
intercourse with any co 
ployed and superintended 
ject whatever, other thai| 
them, except in presence 1 
They are to confine thy 
siness, and are not to lea^ 
ness is so carried on, to v 1 ' 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



029 827 217 




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